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A Extreme LEO satellite would be an atmospheric scoop. Air breathing ion engines exist now, so take in the nitrogen and oxygen, stock pile the oxygen and use th
by wolfram74 4y ago
A Extreme LEO satellite would be an atmospheric scoop. Air breathing ion engines exist now, so take in the nitrogen and oxygen, stock pile the oxygen and use the nitrogen to thrust against drag. Fairly power hungry, but it would be a stable in orbit supply of oxygen for rockets.
Something like 2/3 of all spaceX starship launches for the Artemis program will just be sending oxygen up to orbit.